Combet’s loss a blow, but Smith a welcome addition

The loss of
Greg Combet
has been broadly lamented across Defence, even though versatile former foreign minister
Stephen Smith
got the senior portfolio.

There was a widespread expectation within the senior echelons of the department and the military as late as last week that Mr Combet, the capable former defence materiel minister, would get the top role.

Such a move made sense given Mr Combet’s strong performance in improving Defence procurement made him a suitable successor to the capable but retiring John Faulkner. It would have provided Defence with stability and continuity at a time when the country is waging an unpopular war in Afghanistan and there is unfinished business with a $20 billion internal reform program and an ambitious submarine program ahead.

One of Senator Faulkner’s parting gestures was to strongly endorse his colleague for promotion to the top job and Mr Combet would have been more than content to take it.

Defence sources are also puzzled by the move of former army lawyer and Iraq war veteran Mike Kelly away from the Defence portfolio.

“It’s not that Smith is not considered competent, [but] it’s just that there’s a lack of continuity and it takes at least six months for a minister to get up to speed in this portfolio,’’ Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James said last night.

“And continuity is important when the country is at war.’’

Mr James’s words came as the Defence Force Chief Air Chief Marshal
Angus Houston
warned that Australian forces could expect to encounter tougher fighting as they pushed deeper into Taliban sanctuaries in the country’s south.

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In a briefing in Canberra, he said the US-led troop surge was only just reaching full strength, with Coalition forces taking back Taliban-held areas but in the face of fierce resistance.

Australia has lost 21 soldiers since the 2001 invasion, including 10 since June.

Mr James also argued there was a disconnect for the Defence industry now that Materiel and Science would be separated again, with MP
Jason Clare
taking Defence Materiel and
Warren Snowdon
returning to Defence Science and Personnel.

The Defence portfolio has now had three ministers since November 2007: Joel Fitzgibbon who resigned over an apparent conflict of interest, Senator Faulkner, who announced he would stand down after the election, and now Mr Smith.

“Naturally there is disappointment in Defence that Combet is not the defence minister, but Stephen Smith is more than a good consolation prize,’’ ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre director
Hugh White
said last night.

“The diligence, competence and manner Stephen Smith brings to the job means he is likely to be a good Defence minister who will run Defence as well as anyone could.

“Whether he is the man to drive the radical reform Defence needs remains to be seen.’’

Mr Snowdon’s return, given his long service in the Parliament and interest in Defence, will be welcomed.

Victorian senator David Feeney makes his debut as a parliamentary secretary.